Today is R U OK? Day.
Even though we should be checking in our Mental Health every day, sometimes it’s good to have specialised day to remind us to raise awareness surrounding Mental Health.
So today I though it would be fitting to share some foods that are good for your mental health.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Tryptophan gets used to make niacin which is essential in creating the neurotransmitter, serotonin. And, as we know serotonin is the neurotransmitter that gives us the happy feelings and assists in stabilising our mood making us calmer, less anxious and more focused.
Our bodies can’t produce tryptophan but rather, need to consume it though our diet. Tryptophan is found in protein based foods such as:
Chia Seeds
Chicken
Red Meat
Eggs
Cheese
Chocolate
Fish
Turkey
Oats
Pumpkin Seeds
Cashews, Almonds and Hazelnuts
To ensure that our bodies can effectively create niacin from tryptophan, our bodies need to have plentiful amounts of Iron, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B2.
Foods high in iron include:
Green leafy vegetables
Lentils and beans
Red meat
Liver
Foods high in Vitamin B6 include:
Salmon and Tuna
Eggs
Spinach
Banana
Avocado
Pork
Beef
Foods high in Vitamin B2 include:
Milk
Eggs
Mushrooms
Spinach
Ensuing that we focus on a wholesome, well balanced diet rather than a diet high in saturated fats, increased sugar intake and takeaway will ensure we are providing the best foundation to improve our mental health.
